ROBERTSON & ROBERTSON

This matter concerned an application before Dawe J concerning parenting arrangements for three children. The dispute involved the father and the mother, who sought final orders regarding the children's residence, time spent with each parent, and related matters.

The court was required to determine the interim parenting orders for the children, including establishing equal shared parental responsibility, specifying where each child would live, and detailing the time each child would spend with the non-resident parent. Further issues included the method of handover between parents, the engagement of therapeutic services for the children, the disclosure of past and future therapeutic appointments, and the restraint of parties from unilaterally seeking therapeutic interventions for the children. The court also addressed the procedural status of the parties' applications and the future listing of the matter for trial.

Dawe J made orders reflecting a carefully considered interim arrangement, balancing the children's needs and the parents' responsibilities. The court ordered equal shared parental responsibility, with the older children, R and S, to live with the father and the youngest child, V, to live with the mother. Specific provisions were made for the time R and S would spend with the mother, including alternate weekends and half of school holidays, with R's time subject to his wishes. Similarly, detailed arrangements were set for V's time with the father, including alternate weekends, mid-week time, and half of school holidays. The orders also stipulated specific handover procedures and required written agreement for any variations. Furthermore, the court ordered that the parties and children engage in agreed therapy, with specific disclosure requirements for past and future appointments, and an injunction preventing unilateral therapeutic interventions.

The court dismissed the father's Amended Application in a Case and the mother's Response to an Application in a Case as finalised, indicating these specific applications were resolved by the interim orders. The matter was referred for preparation for trial, with a requirement for an updated Family Report, acknowledging the original trial estimate and a previous order for a witness list.